The 2016 season is finally underway with Florida State and Ole Miss set to square off in a primetime matchup on Monday night in Orlando, Florida.
Ole Miss will enter with the veteran quarterback senior Chad Kelly, who threw for 4,042 yards and 31 touchdowns last year. Kelly is widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks not only in the SEC, but in the country.
Akeem Judd and Eric Swinney will both need to be a spark plug for Ole Miss, as a one dimensional Ole Miss will not be able to beat Florida State. Ole Miss will need to establish a run game early on Monday night, forcing Florida State to respect not only Kelly’s arm and the Ole Miss run game. Ole Miss is replacing all five offensive linemen that started in the 48-20 Sugar Bowl win last season.
Ole Miss has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Dexter McCluster did it in 2009, but that is because the offense does not setup for the run game. It will just need to be able to keep the Seminole’s loaded defense on their toes and not able to sit on Kelly’s passing ability.
The Rebels will bring in a defense that will not be the best in the country, but they will be dependable. They will have a handful with the ‘Noles offense.
Heisman hopeful Dalvin Cook will be on a mission from the second he gets the ball. Playing with a hurt hamstring last season Cook was able to rush for 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns, all while missing the Syracuse game and only touching the ball twice against Wake Forrest.
Ole Miss was able to stack the box and contain LSU own Leonard Fournette to 108 yards on 25 carries. They were also able to hold Heisman Winner Derrick Henry to 127 yards on 23 carries.
The Rebels defense has to have another performance similar to those if they are going to be able to hang with the Seminole’s on Labor Day.
With Sean Maguire injured, head coach Jimbo Fisher will have redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois under center.
“I don’t think the lights will be too bright,” Francois told Seminoles.com in a press conference “I believe in my preparation. Everything Coach Fisher has taught me is to be humble, trust the process. If I prepare well and continue to do everything he tells me to do, I feel like I’ll be fine.”
Francois does not lack confidence, he has been waiting for his shot, his opportunity to shine. He will have veteran receivers Kermit Whitfield, Travis Rudolph, and Jesus Wilson who will all test Ole Miss defense with their ability to spread the field.
The Seminoles offense will be good, they have weapons all over the field and can make even the best defense look thin. The real weapon FSU will bring into the game is arguably one of the best defenses in the country.
Derwin James, Josh Sweat, and DeMarcus Walker will be names called all night long. They are the playmakers that will be responsible for leading the defense and controlling Ole Miss and Chad Kelly’s arm. Josh Sweat and DeMarcus Walker will be responsible for getting to Kelly in the backfield, both have explosive power coming off the defensive line and will be a nightmare for Quarterbacks all season.
If the Ole Miss offensive line can give Chad Kelly the time he needs in the pocket, setting up that big play the Rebels are known for this could be a very good game on Monday night. Controlling Dalvin Cook will be a must, forcing Francois to throw the ball and make inexperienced mistakes.
If Cook can get into a rhythm, setting up the play action and giving Francois a led early I think FSU will handle the Rebels convincingly. Ole Miss has a very good football team, but Florida State has a team that should be making a run at a National Championship.
PREDICTION: FSU wins it, 37-24.
Kelly has a convincing game for Ole Miss, but the lacking run game will comeback to hurt the Rebels. Cook will run for 170+ yards with two touchdowns.
